Alexandra Burke has returned to Milton Keynes Theatre to once again blow audiences away in The Bodyguard, the musical version of the classic 1992 movie which starred Kevin Costner and Whitney Houston, writes Chris Gregg.
The show was a sell-out success when it visited Milton Keynes three years ago and since then Alexandra has reached the final of Strictly and broadened her stage experience with a role in Chess at the London Coliseum.
The performance hangs on the talent of the lead performer and Alexandra has the confident and effortless vocals which make her absolutely believable as the Oscar winning diva Rachel Marron.
Rachel is a diva in every sense of the word, a strong woman in control of her life and career until threatening letters from a mysterious stalker cause her to rely on the protection of bodyguard, Frank Farmer (played by Benoit Marechal).
Initially, each struggles with the other expecting to be in charge but then her singing makes Frank forget all his training and discipline and he sleeps with his client.
This show has all the elements of a West End smash, drawing from Whitney's entire back catalogue to also include hits that weren't on the movie soundtrack such as I Wanna Dance with Somebody and Million Dollar Bill alongside Queen of the Night, So Emotional, One Moment in Time, Saving All My Love, and of course I Will Always Love You.
The music really is the star of this show with a fantastic sound system which gives Alexandra's amazing stage performances the feel of a real concert. The lighting is breathtaking and there are some incredible visual effects with pyrotechnic flames, dry ice walls and confetti showers plus a memorable finale with Alexandra performing above the audience in a halo of laser beams.
The previous visit to MK Theatre in 2016 was only let down by the acting and while this has definitely improved, it's still the weak point of this show with inconsistent performances from the leads with wooden delivery and a strange American accent from French actor Benoit Marechal as Frank which was bordering on the Schwarzeneger at times.
His chemistry with Alexandra was much better this time than the previous male lead and the karaoke scene was well performed.
Audiences will remember this show for the music, though, and this was spectacular with solid performances from Alexandra Burke and Micha Richardson who plays her sister Nikki with a touching sensitivity to her unrequited love for Frank.
This is a show which shouldn't be missed, if only to see Alexandra Burke's showstopping performance. It's running at Milton Keynes Theatre until 23rd March although Burke won't be appearing at any matinee performances.
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